systems for holding tactical gear, such as firearm magazines, weapons, etc., and for connecting such holders to a harness are described and may include a carrier, and an accessory holder that is configured to attach to the carrier. The carrier and/or the accessory holder may be formed from substantially rigid materials, such as plastic or the like, and may be configured to be easily attached and detached from one another, using preconfigured, integral connectors. The connectors may be configured to resist rotation of the carrier and accessory holder with respect to each other, and/or to secure the accessory holder at a fixed angle with respect to the carrier. The accessory holder may also include flanges, surface treatments, or other features, that assist in holding the accessory in the holder.
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1. A system for carrying accessories, comprising:
a carrier configured for at least one of wearing on a user's body or mounting to tactical equipment;
an accessory holder configured to attach to the carrier via a first connector fixedly attached to the accessory holder, and a second connector fixedly attached to the carrier; and
a release mechanism for releasing the accessory holder from the carrier,
wherein, the first connector and second connector are configured to engage with one another so as to allow the accessory holder to be mounted to and removed from the carrier, the first connector and second connector are attachable to one another using a male member of the first connector and a female member of the second connector, and the first connector and second connector are configured to resist rotation relative to one another when the first connector and the second connector are engaged,
the release mechanism includes at least one deflecting component connected to the carrier, the at least one deflecting component configured to deflect as the first connector begins to engage with the second connector and to be manipulated by a user's finger to allow the accessory holder to be removed from the carrier,
the second connector is a female style track having the deflecting component disposed at the top of the female style track,
the first connector is a male style track connector with a top edge, side rails and a chamfered edge, the side rails being complementary to the sides of the female style track, the chamfered edge is a lead-in edge that is configured to deflect the deflecting component during attachment, the top edge being configured to positively engage the deflecting component in a fully seated position, and
the accessory holder is configured to receive and fixedly hold at least one of a firearm, a firearm magazine, a radio, or a grenade.
13. A system for carrying accessories, comprising:
a carrier configured for at least one of wearing on a user's body or mounting to tactical equipment, the carrier including a front face and a back;
an accessory holder configured to attach to the front face of the carrier via a first connector fixedly attached to the accessory holder, and a second connector fixedly attached to the carrier; and
a release mechanism for releasing the accessory holder from the carrier,
wherein, the first connector and second connector are configured to engage with one another so as to allow the accessory holder to be mounted to and removed from the carrier, the first connector and second connector are attachable to one another using a male member of the first connector and a female member of the second connector, and the first connector and second connector are configured to resist rotation relative to one another when the first connector and the second connector are engaged,
the release mechanism includes at least one deflecting component connected to the carrier, the at least one deflecting component configured to deflect as the first connector begins to engage with the second connector and to be manipulated by a user's finger from a direction of the carrier's front face with the accessory holder attached to the carrier to allow the accessory holder to be removed from the carrier,
the second connector is a female style track having the deflecting component disposed toward a top of the female style track,
the first connector is a male style track connector with a top edge, side rails and a chamfered edge, the side rails being complementary to the sides of the female style track, the chamfered edge is a lead-in edge that is configured to deflect the deflecting component during attachment, the top edge being configured to positively engage the deflecting component in a fully seated position, and
the accessory holder is configured to receive and hold at least one of a firearm, a firearm magazine, a radio, or a grenade.
17. A system for carrying accessories, comprising:
a carrier configured for at least one of wearing on a user's body or mounting to tactical equipment;
an accessory holder configured to attach to the carrier via a first connector fixedly attached to the accessory holder, and a second connector fixedly attached to the carrier; and
a release mechanism for releasing the accessory holder from the carrier,
wherein, the first connector and second connector are configured to engage with one another so as to allow the accessory holder to be mounted to and removed from the carrier, the first connector and second connector are attachable to one another using a male member of the first connector and a female member of the second connector, and the first connector and second connector are configured to resist rotation relative to one another when the first connector and the second connector are engaged,
the release mechanism includes at least one deflecting component connected to the carrier, the at least one deflecting component configured to deflect as the first connector begins to engage with the second connector and to be manipulated by a user's finger to allow the accessory holder to be removed from the carrier,
the second connector is a female style track having the deflecting component disposed at the top of the female style track,
the first connector is a male style track connector with a top edge, side rails and a chamfered edge, the side rails being complementary to the sides of the female style track, the chamfered edge is a lead-in edge that is configured to deflect the deflecting component during attachment, the top edge being configured to positively engage the deflecting component in a fully seated position, and
the accessory holder comprises a top opening and a plurality of elongated members extending from a wall of the top opening and at least partially defining a well in which an accessory is received, at least one of the elongated members having a free end that is angled toward a middle of the opening, and configured to deflect via contact with the accessory when the accessory is received in the well and to maintain a positive pressure on the accessory when the accessory is received in the well.
2. The system of
3. The system of
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wherein the well is configured to receive and fixedly hold at least one of a firearm magazine, a radio, a tool, a grenade, a weapon system, ordnance, or tactical equipment.
5. The system of
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7. The system of
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This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/496,575 filed Sep. 25, 2014, and entitled “Gear Track System,” which claims benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/882,405, filed Sep. 25, 2013, and entitled “Gear Track System,” the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The present invention generally relates to tactical gear retention systems, such as used for holding firearm magazines, ordnance, weapons, and other tactical equipment.
There is an ongoing need to provide tactical gear retention systems that securely hold various equipment in a secure, yet readily accessible, manner. Moreover, there are ongoing needs for such systems to be reconfigurable to adapt to various operational requirements and personal preferences.
Current military and law enforcement units are required to wear tactical vest that accommodate a variety of mission essential equipment. Most of these extra pieces of equipment are typically carried by pouches worn by the individual. These pouches, plus the hard and soft armor pieces are attached to the upper torso of an individual via a soft material sewn in such a fashion that it carries these pieces. These are typically referred to as a load bearing vest or tactical vest. In an attempt to meet the demands of carrying a variety of tactical equipment, manufacturers must make tactical vest designs that have a modular attachment system and in doing so this adds unnecessary material and bulk to the tactical vest.
The materials sewn are also not resistant to the absorption of liquids and chemicals. Once these materials become impregnated with a liquid that is harmful, they are considered useless and disposed of promptly. If the same tactical nylon material is immersed in water, it absorbs a substantial amount of water and takes on that unnecessary weight until it can be dried out.
As the demand increases to decrease the overall weight of this equipment and provide resistance to liquids and chemicals, the need exist to provide military and law enforcement units with a streamlined system to carry equipment and, in particular, AR-15 and other style magazines, ordnance and equipment.
AR-15, and other firearm, magazines are typically carried via pouches that may be sewn in such a way that they form a snug fit around the magazines' body. The material most commonly used to sew theses pouches is a woven nylon. A sewn tactical vest may accommodate these sewn pouches and/or have one large pouch on the front side of the vest which is referred to as the kangaroo pouch. This kangaroo pouch is approximately wide enough to receive three AR-15 magazines laid side by side in a vertical orientation. Although it is wide enough to hold 3 magazines, it is usually loosely fitted and therefore provides little to no retention. This is yet one example demonstrating the ongoing need to provide improved magazine retention, stability and speed of access in a light weight design for the kangaroo pouch.
The present subject matter overcomes at least some aspects of the historical challenges in this area by providing novel configurations related to, for example, tactical gear retention systems using skeletonized equipment holders that quickly and securely attach to standardized mounting platforms, such as chest carriers, belt mounts, leg mounts, plates, etc.
According to first aspects of the invention, a system for connecting accessories to a harness may include one or more of a carrier configured for wearing on a user's body or otherwise mounting to tactical equipment; an accessory holder configured to attach to the carrier via a first connector fixedly attached to the accessory holder, and a second connector fixedly attached to the carrier; and a release mechanism for releasing the accessory holder from the carrier.
In embodiments, the first connector and second connector may be configured to engage with one another so as to allow the accessory holder to be mounted to and removed from the carrier.
In embodiments, the first connector and second connector may be attachable to one another using a male member of the first connector and a female member of the second connector, or vice versa.
In embodiments, the first connector and second connector may be configured to resist rotation relative to one another when the first connector and second connector are engaged.
In embodiments, the release mechanism may include at least one deflecting component integrally formed or joined with the accessory holder or carrier and configured to be manipulated by a user's finger to allow the accessory holder to be removed from the carrier.
In embodiments, the carrier may be at least one of a chest, side or back plate, a load bearing equipment, a belt, a vest, a ballistic plate carrier, a backpack, a harness, and/or a holster.
In embodiments, the second connector may be a substantially monolithic piece of molded, machined, cast, or 3-D patterned plastic or similar material affixed to the carrier.
In embodiments, the accessory holder may be configured to receive and fixedly hold at least one of a firearm magazine, a radio, a tool, a grenade, a weapon system, ordnance, or other tactical equipment or ordnance.
In embodiments, the accessory holder may be a substantially monolithic piece of molded, machined, cast, or 3-D patterned plastic or similar material.
In embodiments, each of the accessory holder and the second connector may be substantially monolithic pieces of molded, machined, cast, or 3-D patterned plastic or similar material.
In embodiments, the carrier may include a plurality of second connectors arranged in fixed positions on the carrier and configured to mount a plurality of accessory holders thereto.
In embodiments, the carrier may be substantially plate-shaped and may include a plurality of slots disposed around the perimeter and/or a plurality of pockets on the front or back thereof.
In embodiments, the accessory holder may be configured to resist rotation relative to the carrier when attached to the harness and/or carrier, and/or may be configured to be secured at a fixed angle with respect to the carrier.
In embodiments, the carrier may have a front face and the accessory holder may have a back face that are substantially flush with one another when the male member is seated in the female member.
According to further aspects of the invention, an accessory holder may include one or more of a frame including a plurality of elongated members that at least partially define a cavity sized and configured to receive an accessory such as a firearm, a firearm magazine, a radio, a tool, a grenade, or other tactical equipment or ordnance; and a connector fixedly attached to the frame.
In embodiments, the connector may include at least one of a male or female component configured to allow the accessory holder to be mounted to and removed from a carrier with a complimentary connector.
In embodiments, the frame may be a substantially monolithic piece of molded, machined, cast, or 3-D patterned plastic or similar material.
In embodiments, the connector may be a substantially monolithic piece of molded, machined, cast, or 3-D patterned plastic or similar material.
In embodiments, the connector may include an edge that is configured to deflect a surface of the complimentary connector during attachment and to positively engage the complimentary connector in a fully seated configuration.
Embodiments may include a release mechanism for releasing the accessory holder from the carrier.
In some examples, the release mechanism may include at least one deflecting component integrally molded or formed with the accessory holder and configured to be manipulated by a user's finger to allow the accessory holder to be removed from the carrier.
In embodiments, the connector may be configured to resist rotation relative to the carrier when mounted.
In embodiments, the frame may define an opening sized and configured for insertion and removal of the accessory, and the frame may include one or more members projecting from the opening and angled generally toward the middle of the opening so as to pinch the accessory when inserted in the holder.
In embodiments, the frame may include at least one interior surface with a friction-enhancing treatment and/or material facing the cavity.
In embodiments, the cavity may have a substantially rectangular cross section, and the frame may include a friction-enhancing treatment and/or material on an interior surface extending through one edge of the rectangle. In embodiments, the frame may not include the friction-enhancing treatment and/or material on interior surfaces extending through the other three edges of the rectangle.
Embodiments may include a release mechanism for releasing the accessory from the carrier and/or accessory holder.
According to further aspects of the invention, a tactical equipment carrier may include one or more of a mounting surface; and a plurality of similarly configured connectors arranged in fixed positions on the mounting surface and configured to mount a plurality of accessory holders thereto.
In embodiments, the connectors may include at least one of male or female members configured to engage with complimentary components of the accessory holders.
In embodiments, the connectors may include at least one of an edge that is configured to deflect a surface of the complimentary components during attachment and to positively engage the complimentary components in a fully seated configuration, and/or a release mechanism for releasing the accessory holder from the carrier.
In embodiments, each of the plurality of connectors may be configured to hold the complimentary components of the accessory holders in a manner that resists removal and rotation of the accessory holders.
In embodiments, the release mechanism may include at least one deflecting component integrally formed or joined with the carrier and configured to be manipulated by a user's finger to allow the accessory holder to be removed from the carrier.
In embodiments, the carrier may be at least one of a chest, side or back plate, a load bearing equipment, a belt, a vest, a ballistic plate carrier, a backpack, a harness, and/or a holster.
In embodiments, the connectors may be each, and/or collectively, a substantially monolithic piece of molded, machined, cast, or 3-D patterned plastic or similar material affixed to the carrier.
In embodiments, the accessory holder may be configured to hold at least one of a firearm, a firearm magazine, a radio, a tool, a grenade, or other tactical equipment or ordnance.
In embodiments, the carrier may be substantially plate-shaped and may include a plurality of slots disposed around the perimeter and/or a plurality of pockets on the front or back thereof.
In embodiments, the carrier may have a front face and the accessory holder may have a back face that are substantially flush with one another when the male member is seated in the female member.
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention claimed. The detailed description and the specific examples, however, indicate only preferred embodiments of the invention. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the related technology. No attempt is made to show structural details of technology in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention and various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings:
It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, etc., described herein, as these may vary as the skilled artisan will recognize. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It also is to be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “a support member” is a reference to one or more support members and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law.
Various skeletonized magazine retention (SMR) systems are described herein, which may provide magazine, and other equipment, retention in a modular platform. In some examples, this may require no extra flap of material or cover to ensure the magazine, or equipment, stays in place. Therefore, leaving the item partially exposed for ease and speed of access. The SMR may comprise a modular base plate and multiple, e.g. 3, individual magazine retention devices (MRD). Additional accessories would include any device that the track system could be adapted to (i.e. magazines of a different caliber/size, tools, communication devices, etc.). Therefore, while magazine holders may be described in exemplary embodiments for ease of understanding, it should also be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to such embodiments, and may be applied to a variety of equipment retention devices, such as holders for firearms, radios, tools, grenades, weapons systems, ordnance, or other tactical equipment.
As shown in
The base plate 100 may have a plurality of slots around its perimeter, e.g. top slots 110, bottom slots 112, side slots 114 and/or middle-bottom slot 116, which may be used, for example, as points to fixedly sew the base plate to soft material, run flat material through to hang the base plate from something or someone, etc. The horizontal top slots 110 may be used to run shoulder or other straps through, to secure the base plate 100 to an armor plate carrier or other harness, etc. The vertical side slots 114 can be used, for example, to run material through and use the same to hold the base plate steady along the waist area, around a leg or arm, on a belt, etc. Middle-bottom slot 116 may be used to secure a piece of webbing running between a user's legs. In some examples, recesses may be formed proximate to slots 110, 112, 114 and/or 116, e.g. to accommodate webbing, buckles or other mounting accessories, to receive clips, etc. In addition, or as an alternative, to the slots shown in
In embodiments, the base plate 100, or other carriers described herein, may be included (e.g. attached to or integrally formed in) a chest, side or back plate, a load bearing equipment, a belt, a vest, a ballistic plate carrier, a backpack, a harness, and/or a holster.
As shown in
One example of an accessory holder than may be used with base plate 100, or other carrier, is shown in
In embodiments, the MRD 200 may be formed from a plurality of elongated members that generally form a full or partial ring (at least partially defining a top opening) and a well. In the example shown in
In embodiments, the MRD 200 includes a male track connector configured to interface with a female track connector (however it could also include a female track, or other connector). The male track connector 220 includes side rails 224 that can engage with complimentary sides of a female track to prevent the MRD 200 from being pulled away from the carrier and to assist with inhibiting rotation of the MRD 200 with respect to the carrier.
The male track connector 220 may have a chamfered lead-in edge 226 that disengages/depresses the female tracks' locking mechanism (e.g. component 122) as physical pressure is applied.
The male track connector 220 may also include stops, such as stops 228, to prevent the male track from continuing past its final location in the female track.
The male connector and female connector may be configured to engage with one another so as to allow the accessory holder, such as MRD 200, to be mounted to and removed from the carrier, such as base plate 100. In some embodiments, a male connector may be included in the carrier, and a female connector included in the accessory holder. In some embodiments, other complimentary connectors may also be used, consistent with other aspects of the invention.
The MRD shown in
In embodiments, the frame (including front wall 210, back wall 212, sidewalls 214 and well 216, and/or male connector 220, such as shown in
As also shown in
The male 220 connector included in the MRD 200 may include an edge 226 that is configured to deflect a surface of the complimentary connector during attachment, and a top edge 222 that is configured to positively engage the complimentary connector in a fully seated configuration.
In the configuration shown in
As also shown in
As will appreciated considering
In embodiments, the frame of the accessory holder, such as MRD 200, may include at least one interior surface with a friction-enhancing treatment and/or friction-enhancing material facing the cavity. For example, any of the top, bottom, left, or right interior walls and/or edges shown in
As also shown in
The MRD 200 may be configured as an individual magazine (or other accessory) retention device that uses tension which is directed perpendicularly to the short walls of the magazine or other body. These surfaces (e.g. 230) may be angled, such as shown in
In embodiments, e.g. where the base plate or other carrier has a tracked groove, it can be used to accommodate a variety of different options (e.g. different magazine types & sizes).
Armor plate carrier harness 300 may include a front and/or back plate frame 310 made of a rigid piece of material that securely grabs and retains a ballistic body armor plate 320. The plate frame 310 acts as a carrier of the body armor plate 320 and may frame and/or partially enclose the body armor plate 320. The plate frame 310 may have unnecessary material removed to decrease the weight that is loaded on the user. The plate frame 310 could, for example, be made out of plastic, metal, and/or any other non-porous rigid material. By making the plate frame 310 out of these types of material, the plate frame may be liquid, chemical, and biohazard resistant. These types of material can be easily decontaminated. Forming the plate frame 310 from these types of material also can eliminate extra weight being added to the material when the plate frame is submerged in water.
The plate frame 310 may generally correspond to the size, shape, and curvature of the body armor plate 320. To attach the body armor plate 320 to the plate frame 310, one or more tabs attached to the plate frame 310 may be used to clamp around the outer edges of the body armor plate 320 to retain the body armor plate with (and in some embodiments, within) the plate frame 310. Tabs, or other retaining means, may bend back to allow the body armor plate 320 to be inserted in the plate frame 310 and housed between the tabs and the inside of the plate frame 310 so that the tabs, which may also be termed “hooks,” may hook or wrap around a portion of the body armor plate to secure it to or partially within the plate frame 310. In some examples, the body armor plate 320 may be secured to the plate frame 310 via adjustable tabs that are configured with preconfigured adjustable positions, such as by using a flexible tooth opposed to fixed spaced-apart teeth, ratcheted detents, etc.
Exemplary embodiments may also be adapted into, for example, a belt system that could receive MRD 200 or other accessory holders such as pistol holsters, weapon retention and any number of devices using a similar track system. An example of a belt system 1200 is shown in
Track systems such as those described herein may also provide for the first connector and second connector being configured to resist rotation relative to one another when the first connector and second connector are engaged. For example, when the male track is seated in the female track, the accessory holder may be inhibited from rotating relative to the carrier.
While various embodiments have been described above, it is to be understood that the examples and embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art, and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be understood as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
Swan, Johnny E., Borland, Andrew C., Elizalde, William-Joseph Basan
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